Page 173 - Speedhorse November, 2018

Billy Montgomery Stakes
JESS POLITICAL
by John Moorehouse
Afast break held up for Jess Political, who
went wire-to-wire to win the $30,000 Billy Montgomery Stakes at Evangeline Downs on Oct. 6.
Kenneth Roberts Sr. trains Jess Political, who broke on top from the 5-gate and made her strong start hold up for the entirety of the 330 yards.
The filly led by a head at the first call, opened a 1/2-length advantage as she entered the stretch, then withstood a late rally by Shez Dead Serious to reach the finish line first by a neck.
Regular Rider Donald Watson was in the irons as Jess Political completed the 330 yards in :16.489 for a career-best 103 speed index.
The 3-year-old filly registered her first career stakes win and logged her 4th triumph in 9 career outs for owner Aymond Bates LLC. Jess Political won her trial and was 5th as a rookie in the 2017 Louisiana Bred Lassie Futurity-RG2, and won
her trial and was a finalist in the LQHBA Sale Futurity-RG1. Prior to her Billy Montgomery Stakes win, she was 4th in the Audubon Stakes on Aug. 18.
J.E. Jumonville Jr. bred Jess Political out of lightly raced Apolitical Jet. The mare has produced 100% winners from 2 starters. Jess Political is her first stakes winner and top earner.
Shez Dead Serious (Swingin Jess-Deadly) was second under Noe Castaneda for Pete Scarmardo and trainer Larry Kopycinski. Eying Louisiana Game (Game Patriot-Eying Miss Perry) and John Hamilton were third for owner/trainer Michael Taylor. Followed by Di Maria (Tee Cos-Tell Brenda), Patriots Leaving You (Coronas Leaving You-Rios Dashing Patriot), Fastdashing Lassie (Heza Fast Dash-The Louisiana Lassie), Non Stop Patriot (Game Patriot-Tipsy Kitty), Jess A Corona Baby (Jess Louisiana Blue-Corona Baby), RF Shez Leaving You (Coronas Leaving You-Seychelle) and TK Zoomaway (Zoomin For Bux-Stol The Day).
AQRA President’s Open Fall F.
STEL A SECRET
by Michael Cusortelli
A$6,000 yearling purchase at last year’s Los Alamitos Equine Sale, Stel A Secret broke her maiden with a wire-to-wire nose victory in the $41,758 AQRA President’s Open Fall Futurity at Turf Paradise on Oct. 28.
Stel A Secret covered 350 yards in :17.669 under jockey Kevin Carbajal, posting a career high 96 speed index. Guillermo Morales prepped the filly for owner Ruben Jimenez.
The $21,090 winner’s share of the AQRA President’s Open Fall Futurity boosted the filly’s earnings to $22,616. Stel A Secret also qualified to and was a finalist in the AQRA Spring Fling Futurity in her first two career starts in April. Raced exclusively at Turf Paradise, Stel A Secert has earned $22,616 from four starts.
E.J. and Mark Thompson bred Stel A Secret out of winner Secret Forest, who ran third in the 2008 Yavapai Downs Futurity-G3. A California-bred, Secret Forest has produced 100% money earners from five starters, including Forrest Smoke, a full brother to Stel A Secret and second in the $20,500 El Moro de Cumpas Maturity on March 17 at Rillito Park in Tucson, Arizona. The filly’s fourth dam, Teller Belle, was a finalist in the 1987 All American Futurity-G1.
LS Power (Louisiana Senator-Neverleavin You) and Juan Ramirez were second for owner Deni Rodarte Puente and trainer Benito Guillen Vega.
Fastest qualifier Showmethedoe (No Secrets Here-Bundle Doe) was third under Jospeh Belloc Jr. for owner Steve Berry and trainer Rigoberto Guillen.
Whiskeys Quicker (Jesse James Jr-Watchin The Rain), Fabulous Daze (Dog Daze Afternoon- One Fabulous Choice), Captain Mazurk (Captain Courage-Napa Valley Girl), Nicos First Cartel (First Prize Perry-Cartel Moon), Shez Ifs (Valiant Hero-Mon Ti Rose) and Check This Wagon (Paintyourownwagon-Check N Chick Out) com- pleted the order of finish.
AQRA Futurity
JUS CUZ
by Michael Cusortelli
Jus Cuz notched her first victory in the $16,007 AQRA Futurity at Turf Paradise on Oct. 28. Owned by Osvaldo Venegas and David Guzman, the filly broke on top from the 4-post. She stayed on top throughout the contest, crossing the wire a full length in front.
Ridden by Luis Yescas Jr. for trainer Matt Fales, who also prepped the runner-up as well as the third- and fourth-place runners, Jus Cuz completed the 350 yards in :17.772, earning a lifetime-best 93 speed index.
The $8,004 winner’s share of the $16,007 purse, boosted her total lifetime earnings to $13,387.
This was the first win for Jus Cuz, who had made five previous starts and had finished second three times. This marks her second stakes appearance.
Jus Cuz began her career at Turf Paradise last spring and qualified and was a finalist in the 300- yard $55,290 Desert Classic Futurity on April 29.
Elaine Cota Robles bred Jus Cuz out of 5-time winner Cuz I Say So. Raced in three states from 2012-14, she earned $42,449 from 19 outs and won the 2013 AQRA President’s Open Spring Derby. Jus Cuz is her first foal. Jus Cuz’s third dam is winner and stakes-placed Its Called Class, a finalist in Champion Dash For Speed’s 1987 Rainbow Futurity-G1 victory.
Babe Watchin (Texas Icon-Watchin The Rain) was second under Mark Jasso for owners Ralph and Carolyn Fales. The gelding was third in the Spring Fling Futurity in April.
Ralph and Carolyn Fales were also represented by Redneck Woman (Texas Icon-Secret Return), who ran third under J. Martin Bourdieu. The filly is still a maiden from four starts.
Nochebonita (Texas Icon-Dashin Firmly) and RV Pete (First N Wild-Miss Behavin) completed the order of finish. Baby Macarena was scratched.
Evangeline Downs • $30,000 330 yards • :16.489 • si 103
Mr Jess Perry
Jess Louisiana Blue
JESS POLITICAL, ‘15-f. Apolitical Jet
The Louisiana Girl Jet Black Patriot In His Dreams
Turf Paradise • $16,007 350 yards • :17.772 • si 93
Texas Icon JESS CUZ, ‘16-f.
Cuz I Say So
Corona Cartel Jennifer Kate First Down Dash La Michoacana
Turf Paradise • $41,758 350 yards • :17.669 • si 96
Stel Corona STEL A SECRET, ‘16-f.
Secret Forest
Corona Cartel
Our Lips Are Sealed Check Him Out
Diadora
SPEEDHORSE, November 2018 171
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